London, UK
London School of Economics and Political Science: English test requirements
LSE has one English requirement for all undergraduate degrees and four postgraduate tables (Standard, Higher, Research and Law); each programme page says which one applies. Duolingo is not a normal route: the graduate page mentions it only as an exceptional alternative combined with an LSE language assessment. PTE Academic is accepted in person only.
Checked on 31 Oct 2026 against the university's own pages. Universities change their requirements, and some courses ask for more. Always confirm on the university's page before you book a test or apply.
IELTS
UG 7.0
PG from 7.0
TOEFL iBT
UG 5.5 / 100
PG from 5.5 / 100
PTE Academic
UG 70
PG from 70
Duolingo English Test
UG Not on the list
PG Set by course
Undergraduate
One set of scores for every undergraduate programme. IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and Trinity results must come from one sitting and be less than two years old on 1 September of the year of entry. A test is only needed if you receive an offer and are not otherwise exempt.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 7.0 | 7.0 in each component | AcceptedOnline version included. |
| TOEFL iBT | 5.5 (tests from Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 100 (0-120) | 1-6: 5 in each of Writing, Reading, Listening, Speaking; 0-120: Writing 27, Reading 25, Listening 24, Speaking 24 | AcceptedHome and Paper editions included. |
| PTE Academic | 70 | 70 in all components | AcceptedIn-person test only. |
| Duolingo English Test | – | Not on the listNot on the undergraduate page. |
“CAE, CPE, IELTS, TOEFL, and Trinity test scores must be achieved from one sitting.”
Undergraduate English language requirements
Graduate (taught and research)
Programme pages state Standard, Higher, Research or Law. Tests must be less than two years old on 1 October 2027, from a single sitting (an IELTS One Skill Retake may be accepted at the selectors' discretion). Selectors may ask for a higher score. These are minimums; extra language instruction may still be advised.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Standard (including MPhil/PhD Statistics)e.g. MSc Economics, MSc Accounting and Finance, MSc Data Science, MRes/PhD Economics, MRes/PhD FinanceSource for this group | 7.0Reading 6.5, Listening 6.5, Writing 6.5, Speaking 6.5IELTS Online and IELTS for UKVI included. | 5.5 (updated 1-6 scale) / 100 (0-120)1-6: Reading 5, Listening 5, Writing 5, Speaking 4.5; 0-120: Reading 23, Listening 22, Writing 24, Speaking 22Home and Paper editions included. | 7062 in Reading, Listening, Writing and SpeakingIn-person test only; the online test is not accepted. | Not published by the universityNot a standard route. The page allows Duolingo or IELTS Indicator only on request for those who cannot take a listed test, supplemented by the LSE Language Centre Assessment. |
| B. Highere.g. MSc International Relations, MSc Development Studies, MRes/PhD Anthropology, MRes/PhD Political Science, MRes/PhD International DevelopmentSource for this group | 7.0Reading 7.0, Listening 6.5, Writing 6.5, Speaking 6.5IELTS Online and IELTS for UKVI included. | 5.5 (updated 1-6 scale) / 100 (0-120)1-6: Reading 5, Listening 5, Writing 5, Speaking 4.5; 0-120: Reading 25, Listening 22, Writing 24, Speaking 22Home and Paper editions included. | 70Reading 70, Listening 62, Writing 62, Speaking 62In-person test only; the online test is not accepted. | Not published by the universityNot a standard route. The page allows Duolingo or IELTS Indicator only on request for those who cannot take a listed test, supplemented by the LSE Language Centre Assessment. |
| C. Research - MPhil/PhD programmes (except Law and Statistics)e.g. MPhil/PhD programmes other than Law and Statistics (the page notes not all require this level; MRes/PhD programmes are mapped to Standard or Higher in a separate table)Source for this group | 7.0Reading 7.0, Listening 6.5, Writing 7.0, Speaking 6.5IELTS Online and IELTS for UKVI included. | 5.5 (updated 1-6 scale) / 100 (0-120)1-6: Reading 5, Listening 5, Writing 5.5, Speaking 4.5; 0-120: Reading 25, Listening 22, Writing 27, Speaking 22Home and Paper editions included. | 70Reading 70, Listening 62, Writing 70, Speaking 62In-person test only; the online test is not accepted. | Not published by the universityNot a standard route. The page allows Duolingo or IELTS Indicator only on request for those who cannot take a listed test, supplemented by the LSE Language Centre Assessment. |
| D. Law programmese.g. All programmes in the Law Department, including MPhil/PhD LawSource for this group | 7.57.0 in Reading, Listening, Writing and SpeakingIELTS Online and IELTS for UKVI included. | 5.5 (updated 1-6 scale) / 109 (0-120)1-6: Reading 5, Listening 5, Writing 5.5, Speaking 5.5; 0-120: Reading 25, Listening 24, Writing 27, Speaking 27Home and Paper editions included. | 7870 in Reading, Listening, Writing and SpeakingIn-person test only; the online test is not accepted. | Not published by the universityNot a standard route. The page allows Duolingo or IELTS Indicator only on request for those who cannot take a listed test, supplemented by the LSE Language Centre Assessment. |
“These are minimum requirements.”
Graduate English language requirements (2027/8 entry)
Other tests the university lists
- Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency (undergraduate 185 overall and in each component; graduate scale scores differ by table)
- Trinity ISE Level III (undergraduate Distinction in each component)
- LSE Centre for Language Studies Presessional programme (graduate)
The page says these are not accepted
- IELTS General Training
- PTE Academic online test
“Not on the list” means the test does not appear on the university page we checked. It does not mean the test is refused: the course page or the admissions office may still accept it, so ask them.
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